Scouts planning to extend hall

THE 1st Torquay Scouts are eager to find funding to extend their hall, with the venue struggling to accommodate the demands of its current users.

The Torquay Scouts first moved into the hall at Spring Creek Reserve upon its completion in 1990.

In 2008, they had 15 registered members, but that number has since grown to over 70.

The extensions the Torquay Scouts has planned are estimated to cost a minimum of $350,000.

While they did not receive funding from the Surf Coast Shire when the 2019-20 budget was drafted in June, Torquay Scouts chairman Stephen Currie said the council had been extremely supportive.

Part of the reason the Scouts are looking to extend the hall is that they are just one of the groups that use the facilities, which is currently occupied six days a week.

Over these days the hall serves varying purposes, sometimes being used as a Karate training venue, and at others being used as a church.

With so many different groups using the hall, storage has also become an issue.

The scouts have to keep much of their equipment in people’s houses around Torquay.

Their planned expansion for the venue would be about 80 square metres, freeing up storage and creating space for a second meeting room.

The expansion would also have the benefit of helping with the erosion problems Spring Creek Reserve is dealing with.

This is because the plan would see the hall extended eastwards, onto the gravel car park area that has been heavily effected by erosion. Stormwater pits and underground pipes would then be installed to help divert the water flow.

Mr Currie said the scouts’ growing popularity and Torquay’s similarly growing population meant the only option was to push ahead with the plans.

“We need to meet the increased demand for the facility.

“We get constant requests (to use the hall) and we can’t really facilitate them.”

The scout club will be looking to apply for various community grants, but will also be conducting various fundraising activities.